Tag Archives: Use of the N Word

A number of students at Chaminade College gathered weekly to discuss topics regarding African heritage. A recurring theme was the use of the N word. As a group, we discussed the way we saw how the N word was consistently being used on social media, in popular culture (especially in rap music), by the general, public, and by other students. We decided that we wanted to create a video to raise awareness about the use of the N word.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIDEO

The origins of the N word can be traced back to the African slave trade. The word was used as an insult and racial slur against black people, and continues to be used negatively today. In response, many people of African descent have fought to be treated respectfully and to promote the beauty of our race. So when we use this word today, the word that our ancestors fought tirelessly to conquer, it is as if we have disregarded the progress of those who have come before us.

The excuses for the use of the word vary. Some black people might say they are entitled to reclaim the N word — to take it back from our oppressors. Some black people believe they have earned the right to use this word simply because they are black. What is more baffling is that some non-black individuals claim they can use the N word because their black peers have given them the N word pass. The word has become normalized in our society and entrenched inour culture today to the extent that people just absent-mindedly use the wordwithout knowing what it means.